Construction of vessels.



J. BITTER.

CONSTRUCTION OF VESSELS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 19I2.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

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To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, JACOB Rrr'rnn, a citi-,

hattan, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in the Construction of Vessels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates tothe construction of vessels and mainly to an improved con struction of the hull of the same whereby a greater buoyancy is given to the vessel and greater protection against capsizing, foundering and sinking is imparted, so that the safety of the passengers on board of the vessel is increased and accidents prevented; and for this purpose the invention consists of a vessel which is divided by a central longitudinal bulkhead into two longitudinal sections which are provided, below the bulkhead, in their lower parts with a compartment having a straight transverse bottom adjacent to the keel, and converging sides extending from the bottom to the lower edge of the bulkhead. The invention consists further of a vessel the hull of which is provided with a water-tight compartment of triangular cross-section, which extends adjacent to the keel throughout the bottom part of the vessel from the bow to the stern, and which is provided with transverse partitions dividing the compartments into individual water-tight chambers or sections.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side-elevation of a steamship, the hull of which is constructed according to my invention, Fig. 2 is a plan-view, partly in a horizontal section, on line 2, 2, Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a rear-elevation, showing the stern of the vessel, Fig. 4: is a vertical transverse section on line 1-, 4, Fig. 2, Fig. 5 is a plan-view of the air and water-tight compartment located in the bottom of the vessel above the keel, and Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section on line 6, 6, Fig. 5.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the diiierent figures.

Referring to the drawings, a represents the hull of a steamship or other vessel and b a bulkhead which extends longitudinally through the vessel and which divides it in two symmetrical sections, each of which is provided with the usual complement of boilers, engines and propellers. The hull is di vided b horizontal floors into. a number of Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented Nov. 16, 11915.

Application filed May 15,1912. Serial No. 697,427.

superposed stories, which are connected through openings and doors in the bulkhead b. In the lower part of the hull, adjacent to the keel of the same,-is arranged a triangular water and air-tight compartment 0, which is preferably made as a separate structure in sucha manner that it extends from the straight rear-end at the stern, be low the bulkhead, throughout the length of the vessel, to a point near the bow, being tapered at the front or bow end. The compartment a is preferably triangular in crosssection, its apex being adjacent to the lower edge of the bulkhead, while the lower or straightportion or base rests on the keel d. The lower portions of the hull are preferably closed by inclined sicleswalls a parallel with the side-walls of the compartment 0 so as to permit the separate construction of the compartment and its introduction from the stern into the triangular space at the lower central portion of the hull and the forming of a double-walled bottom and side walls for the air and water-tight compartment 0 in the lower part of the hull. The

compartment is preferably made of boilerplate of suitable thickness, closed at the rear and front-ends and divided by a number of transverse partitions 0 into a number of chambers, which form always a protection for the vessel, even if the hull should be in jured at its sides, as the bottom compartment practically makes the vessel unsinkable and imparts suilicient buoyancy to the same for keeping it afloat. The longitudinal semi-sections of the vessel, separated by the bulkhead and the air and water-tight compartment, are of the usual approved interior construction and accessories, While the space in the lower parts of both sections is utilized for coal-bunkers, boilers, engines and independent propellers, so that the vessel can be propelled even if it should be disabled at one side or the other by injury to the hull boilers, engines or propellers. The double walls between the air and water-tight compartment and the semi-sections of the bulkhead impart great strength and resistance to the keel-portion of the hull, especially against collisions with vessels, ice-bergs and the like, while the sub-division of the compartment into separate air and water-tight sections insures the reliable and efiective action of the compartment even if one or the other of the individual sections should be injured and placed out of use.

mizeol for cargo; the compartment is rendered less vulnerable to penetration from the outside, .as it is protected behind th e bilges and the" cargo therein; and the strength of the compartment Walls is brought tothe lower edge of the bilge, the compartment thereby forming a truss longitudinally of the bilges and imparting strength, thereto, Which materially stifi'ens the vessel at the bilges A ship having a longitudinal bulkhead frombow to stern-along the upper portion ofthe hull, longitudinal partitions diverging downward from the lower edge of said bulkhead and connected at their lower edges with the ships bottom and forming there- With a triangular chamber extending from how to stern, and an independent triangular tube composed of boiler metal and fitted Within said triangular chamber, said tube serving the double purpose of a Watertight compartment and a stiffening truss.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JACOB BITTER.

Witnesses PAUL GonPEL, JOHN MURTAGH.

Copies Qfthis patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0.? 

